Stoughton 41, Milford 20: Scarlet Hawks rocked in Hockomock opener

The Milford Scarlet Hawks are the new kids on the block in the Hockomock League and Stoughton welcomed them rather coldly in a 41-20 thrashing on Friday night.

By Eric Young/Daily News correspondent

Milford Daily News

By Eric Young/Daily News correspondent

Posted Sep. 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 28, 2013 at 7:29 AM

By Eric Young/Daily News correspondent

Posted Sep. 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 28, 2013 at 7:29 AM

MILFORD

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The Milford Scarlet Hawks are the new kids on the block in the Hockomock League and their counterparts welcomed them rather coldly on Friday night.

Stoughton is no stranger to the tough competition the Hockomock presents, and gave the hosts a tough introduction to the league.

Tailback Malachi Baugh, who combined for over 200 yards rushing and receiving, raced 74 yards for a score on the game’s opening play from scrimmage and unbeaten Stoughton went on to romp past Milford, 41-20, in a league opener.

“This league is so tough and there are so many good teams and we know they are new to the Hock,” said Baugh. “I think our experience definitely helped us tonight. It was huge scoring on the first play. I wasn’t expecting it, but my line opened up a huge hole and I just hit it as fast as I could.”

It was a shocking beginning for Milford (0-3), which was hoping to put last week’s slow start behind them.

Instead, it was an instant replay. Baugh added to the Scarlet Hawks’ misery by adding a second score from 12 yards out for a 14-0 advantage just seven minutes into the first quarter.

“We’ve got to address our slow starts and that’s on the coaches and the players,” admitted Milford’s first-year head coach Joe Todd. “That’s a very good football team we just faced, maybe the best we’ll face all season. This league is tough.”

With an emphasis placed on effort all week, it appeared as if the week’s worth of practice was for naught for the Scarlet Hawks.

Jovani Pires and Lennox Green each added second-quarter touchdowns on the ground to give Stoughton (3-0) a commanding 27-0 lead heading into halftime.

“It wasn’t the start we were looking for, but I did see that the effort was there from each and every one of the players,” said Todd. “It was just a matter of time before we got it together and created positive outcomes.”

True to Todd’s words, Milford began the second half with, perhaps, its best drive of the season.

Led by the efforts of quarterback John Hearns, who rushed for 90 yards, the Scarlet Hawks went 72 yards in 10 plays, capped by a 5-yard touchdown run from captain George Chakalos.

“We have the talent to get it done, we just have to be more consistent,” Todd said. “We don’t have the speed and big-play ability that Stoughton has, but we can move the ball effectively with the run and the pass.”

After Baugh registered his third score on a 48-yard run to put Stoughton up 33-6 late in the third quarter, Milford answered with back-to-back touchdowns.

Hearns punched home his first touchdown from 7 yards out following a Black Knights fumble, while David Abrego made it 33-20 with 7:42 to go on a 4-yard touchdown catch.

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“It was the best we have looked all season,” said Todd. “I’m proud of the effort and execution from our players in the second half. We have to do it for a whole game and not just a half if we want to win in this league, but we are getting close.”

After the anxious moments, Stoughton put the game away on a safety and a 27-yard touchdown run by Joseph Girolamo to close out the scoring.